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Air Force
OCS Class 61-C
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Here's the latest
on
Jerry
Cox
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OCLt
Jerry Cox
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Betty
& Jerry at 2003 reunion
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| A/1C Jerry Cox joined us in Sept coming from a Florida AF weather station. His AF career started 4 years earlier at age 18. About two weeks after joining Alpha Flt, Jerry & Betty (his HS sweetheart) celebrated their 4th anniversary (there was note in his "goody bag"). His flight buddies elected him Chapel Rep (Church Mouse). Jerry graduated in the top half of his class was assigned to Lowry after Air Police Officer tng at Lackland. In Sep 1962, Lt Cox reported to the 49th APSq at Spangdahlem AB, Germany as an Air Police Operations Officer. He was accepted for pilot tng in 1963. It was duty at Moody in 1965 -- Jerry earned his wings in 1966 and was assigned to Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ for F-4 checkout. Capt Cox went to Eglin in 1967, an F-4 fighter pilot with the 33rd TFW. In Jan 1968, Jerry was deployed to Kunsan AB, Korea w/4th TFW during the Pueblo crisis. Jerry flew F-4s at Eglin, Homestead, and Kunsan. In Dec 1972, he deployed to Ubon RTAFB for Linebacker II. May 26, 1973, Major Cox was shot down in Cambodia on an F-4 bombing mission. He returned to Homestead and was hospitalized for two months recovering from injuries. In 1974, Jerry was assigned to Hq, Air South (NATO) in Naples, Italy. In 1975, he was Sq Ops Officer for 32TFS at Soesterberg, the Netherlands. 1977, Jerry returned to Eglin and soon would be 58TFS/DO. Jan 1979, LtCol Cox went to Luke AFB, AZ for F-15 checkout. On return, he commanded 59TFS (F-15). In 1981, he was selected as 33TFW/ADO and on promotion to O-6, joined Hq USAF Plans and Policy Div. 1983, Col Cox became Vice Commander of Homestead's 31TFW. In Feb, 1984, he assumed command of the 49th Tac Fighter Wing at Holloman AFB, NM. In 1985 he was assigned duties at Maxwell AFB, AL. 1986 he returned for Pentagon duty and the US Army Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal, AL. Col Cox retired in 1988 w/LOM, MSM, DFC, Purple Heart, AM and more. "Betty and I loved every minute of our 32 years in the Air Force -- except perhaps for the getting-shot-down part. That was a stressful day," Jerry writes, "Air Force people are the best in the world. We were privileged to serve." Jerry and Betty have four children, four grandchildren and one great grandchild. Retirement's pretty busy. Jerry's a world-traveler: China, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Haig. Presently he writes a newspaper column and works as a commercial property appraiser. |